Lamenting, in the biblical context, refers to the expression of deep sorrow, mourning, or regret, often in response to personal or communal suffering, sin, or loss. It is a profound emotional and spiritual response that is woven throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the human condition and the relationship between humanity and God.

Old Testament Context

Lamenting is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms and the book of Lamentations. The Psalms contain numerous laments, where the psalmists cry out to God in times of distress, seeking His intervention and expressing trust in His deliverance. For example, Psalm 13:1-2 begins with a heartfelt plea: "How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day?"

The book of Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. It captures the intense grief and despair of the Israelites, while also affirming God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 offers a glimmer of hope amidst the sorrow: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"

Prophetic Lament

The prophets often engaged in lamenting as they conveyed God's messages to Israel and Judah. They lamented over the people's sinfulness and the impending judgment. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," frequently expressed his sorrow over the spiritual state of the nation. In Jeremiah 9:1 , he declares, "Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night for the slain of my people."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, lamenting continues as a theme, though it takes on new dimensions with the coming of Christ. Jesus Himself lamented over Jerusalem, expressing His sorrow for their rejection of Him and the consequences that would follow. In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!"

The apostle Paul also speaks of lamenting in the context of the Christian life. In Romans 8:22-23 , he writes about the groaning of creation and believers as they await redemption: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."

Theological Significance

Lamenting in the Bible serves several purposes. It is an honest expression of pain and suffering, acknowledging the brokenness of the world and the human condition. It also serves as a form of prayer, directing the lamenter’s cries to God, who is seen as the ultimate source of comfort and hope. Lamenting can lead to repentance, as individuals and communities recognize their sin and turn back to God. Moreover, it is a reminder of the hope and restoration promised by God, as lamenting often transitions into expressions of trust and praise.

Practical Application

For believers today, lamenting remains a vital aspect of spiritual life. It allows for the honest expression of grief and sorrow in a fallen world, while also fostering a deeper reliance on God. Through lamenting, Christians can find solace in God's presence, trusting in His promises and looking forward to the ultimate redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lament.

2. (n.) Lamentation.

2875. kopto -- to cut (off), strike, by ext. to mourn
... root kop- Definition to cut (off), strike, by ext. to mourn NASB Word Usage cut
(1), cutting (1), lament (1), lamenting (1), mourn (3), mourning (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2875.htm - 7k

2354. threneo -- to lament
... wail. Word Origin from threnos Definition to lament NASB Word Usage lament
(1), lamenting (1), sang a dirge (2). lament, mourn. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2354.htm - 6k

8386. taaniyyah -- mourning
... 8385b, 8386. taaniyyah. 8387 . mourning. Transliteration: taaniyyah Phonetic
Spelling: (tah-an-ee-yaw') Short Definition: lamenting. ...
/hebrew/8386.htm - 6k

57. abel -- mourning
... one who sorrows (1). mourner,. From 'abal; lamenting -- mourn(-er, -ing).
see HEBREW 'abal. 56, 57. abel. 58 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/57.htm - 6k

He Sets Out for Rome, his Mother in Vain Lamenting It.
... Book V. Chapter VIII."He Sets Out for Rome, His Mother in Vain Lamenting
It. 14. Thou dealedst with me, therefore, that I should ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter viii he sets out for.htm

The Second Miracle
... We have, first of all, Christ lamenting over an imperfect faith. ... I. First, then,
we have here our Lord lamenting over an ignorant and sensuous faith. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the second miracle.htm

How Absalom Murdered Amnon, who had Forced his Own Sister; and How ...
... to the ankles, that the inner coats might not be seen,] and sprinkled ashes on her
head; and went up the middle of the city, crying out and lamenting for the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how absalom murdered.htm

But Others Treat of Higher and More Serious Themes, and Show us a ...
... But he is an earnest Christian, sometimes lamenting his own sins with simple
penitence, sometimes expressing a strong and manly faith. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/but others treat of higher.htm

2 Cor. Ii. 12, 13
... in every place.". For that he may not seem as though in sorrow to be lamenting
these things, he sendeth up thanks to God. Now what ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily v 2 cor ii.htm

Three Decisive Steps
... I think that, by the house of Israel lamenting after the Lord, is meant, next, that
they began to be inwardly convinced that nobody could help them but the Lord ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three decisive steps.htm

Narrative of Events at Alexandria in the Time of Lucius the Arian ...
... this, the heavens stood astonished." [747]. The whole city groaned, and
is lamenting to this day. Some men beating on their breast ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xix narrative of events at.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... Had men's hands power over His sovereignty?" Read the Lamentations; for in those
Lamentations, Jeremias, lamenting you, wrote what is worthy of lamentations. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

Hebrews xiii. 17
... Be not confident because he does not avenge himself on thee, for lamenting is worse
than any revenge. ... Footnotes: [3495] "lamenting," stenazontes. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv hebrews xiii 17.htm

Acts xx. 17-21
... Do you mark how (clearly) these were the words not of one lamenting, but of one
who forbore to make the most (of his troubles) (metriazontos), of one who would ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliv acts xx 17-21.htm

Lamenting (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lament. 2. (n.) Lamentation. Multi-Version Concordance
Lamenting (8 Occurrences). Luke 8:52 And all were weeping and lamenting her. ...
/l/lamenting.htm - 8k

Laments (4 Occurrences)

/l/laments.htm - 7k

Lamenteth (4 Occurrences)

/l/lamenteth.htm - 7k

Weeping (237 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Weep. 2. (n.) The act of one who weeps; lamentation with
tears; shedding of tears. 3. (a.) Grieving; lamenting; shedding tears. ...
/w/weeping.htm - 37k

Eutychus (1 Occurrence)
... Paul went down and embraced the youth while comforting the lamenting crowd, "Make
ye no ado; for his life is in him." The interrupted meeting was resumed, the ...
/e/eutychus.htm - 8k

Died (348 Occurrences)
... NAS). Luke 8:52 And all were weeping and lamenting her. But he said, Do
not weep, for she has not died, but sleeps. (DBY NAS). Luke ...
/d/died.htm - 34k

Mourning (85 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Garb, drapery, or emblems indicative of grief, esp. clothing or a badge
of somber black. 4. (a.) Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting. ...
/m/mourning.htm - 34k

Boar (1 Occurrence)
... BOAR. bor (chazir): In lamenting the troubled state of the Jewish nation the Psalmist
(Psalm 80:13) says: "The boar out of the wood doth ravage it, and the wild ...
/b/boar.htm - 8k

Bewailing (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bewail. 2. (a.) Wailing over;
lamenting. Multi-Version Concordance Bewailing (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/bewailing.htm - 7k

Sleeps (20 Occurrences)
... the child has not died, but sleeps. (DBY). Luke 8:52 And all were weeping and lamenting
her. But he said, Do not weep, for she has not died, but sleeps. (DBY). ...
/s/sleeps.htm - 11k

What is a lament in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Lamentations - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What was Bildad the Shuhite's message to Job? | GotQuestions.org

Lamenting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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